Chapter 12: A Tree Hill Raven always knows that the harder you want to avoid a person, the more likely you are to run into them.
After waking up with a bit of a headache, Haley pulled a sweatshirt over her auburn hair, slipped on a pair of Birkenstock clogs, and walked outside. The sun was shining, barely any of the mere fifteen kids left on campus were up, and she just wanted some time to think. Walking out the glass doors and around the ivy covered side of her dormitory, Haley made her way towards the swing, as it had become her custom over the past couple of days.
Taking a seat on the wooden swing, hanging plainly from the tree up above it, Haley felt the letter in her back pocket bore a hole into her. Although she had yet to read the letter, afraid of its contents, afraid of the feelings she knew it would contain, she carried it everywhere. Partially because she didn't want anyone else to find it and partially because deep down, she hoped her curiosity would give in. Time would only tell with that.
As she lightly swayed her legs, drifting forward and back, Haley began to think about the last night's happenings. Although she was sad she could not go home to California to enjoy it with her loving, yet dysfunctional, family, enjoying it with Jake had made it fun. The only thing however, that kept creeping up to her, surrounded by regret but it's center filled with relief, was the simple phrase, "I like Nathan too.."
She had said it, and as much as she wanted to regret it, it actually felt like a relief. Someone else knew. And that was how she stood… Jake knew, Nathan didn't, and she… well, she wasn't even sure of her emotions. Sure she liked, him, but deep down, she knew they had something more. Something that could possibly be L-word that tended to come with a lot of baggage; at least in her case it came with baggage.
There was however, one thing she was certain of. No matter what her feelings or emotions or thoughts were at this moment, there was a figure walking towards her. A figure bouncing a basketball and a figure that very much resembled… Nathan?
And just like that, Haley was up and moving in the opposite direction faster than someone could say "I missed you."
Well, not just someone… Nathan Scott.
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Sitting on her windowsill, Haley sat with her legs crossed, her pillow squeezed up against her chest. Outside the window, she watched Nathan's boyish figure dribble, shoot, then score, over and over again. Now, although it's nothing strange for Nathan to be out on the court, she wasn't expecting him back so soon. Students didn't need to be back for another three days and she was definitely not expecting him back so early.
And yet there he was, outside her window, minding his own business and looking excruciatingly hot while doing it. That's a lie though. Not the him looking hot part, but the minding his own business part. The fact of the matter is that he's waiting outside for her. To see her, to talk to her, and Haley knows that. She just doesn't know if she's ready. Heck, she was expecting to have three more days to debate on reading his tempting letter. But those plans were now changed because Nathan was back and he was waiting to talk, so now it was on to the next plan.
Avoid, avoid, avoid..
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Jake was sitting at a table in the dining hall eating his breakfast when he saw Haley breeze in looking a bit overwhelmed.
"Did you know?" Haley questioned.
"Know what?" Jake asked, looking confused.
"That Nathan was coming home early. Like, today," she continued, taking a seat next to him while stealing a piece of bacon off his plate.
"Maybe," Jake replied coyly before getting hit in the arm by Haley. "Ow! What was that for?"
"Hmm… I don't know. You didn't think it seemed fit to tell me he was coming back early?"
"Never really crossed my mind I guess. I mean, he didn't tell me he was coming home early but I kind of assumed. You see, every year Lucas arrives back the same time as everyone else but Nathan comes back early. He always tells me it's because he wants to focus on basketball but I know it's cause he can't deal with his dad's pressures. Normally though, he doesn't even end up working out or anything really. Well, working out is a relative term. He doesn't work out equipment but he does-"
"Don't finish that sentence Jake," a deep voice boomed from behind them. Haley didn't have to turn around, she knew it was him.
"Oh uh, hey Nate," Jake replied feebly.
"Jake… Haley," he stated firmly, his eyes burning on her skin.
"Hi Nathan," Haley whispered as he took a seat next to her. "I uh, got to go though. You know, stuff, and uh, people, and uh, well, see you later."
"I better," Nathan called as he watched her petite figure scurry away, before turning to Jake. "What was that about?"
"What?" Jake asked, shoving a forkful of waffle into his mouth.
"You and Haley."
"I don't know, friend stuff."
"Seemed kind of cozy."
"It was nothing Nathan. Promise."
"I'm hoping you keep that promise."
"I will, trust me. Look, just because you find Haley hot, which I'm not saying she isn't, doesn't mean every guy is dogging after her. Consider her all yours," Jake stated.
"I already do," Nathan muttered.
"Let me guess, you just wish she did too?"
"Well, yeah."
"She'll come around."
"You think?"
"I know."
"I guess I'll take your word for it Jagelski," Nathan stated shrugging. "I'm going to go try and find her."
"Good luck."
"Thanks man. I'll catch ya later," Nathan replied before getting up and heading out of the dining hall before walking on the path back towards the dormitories. He knew she wouldn't go out to the swing, and he knew she was probably up in her room. So, in an effort to finally get to talk to her, Nathan took a seat on the stoop of her dormitory, waiting until he saw her figure come through that door.
Well, what he thought would be an hour tops, turned into hours, which then turned into dusk and it was just before dinner that he saw her figure coming towards him. Wait… coming towards him? As in she hadn't been in there the whole time?
"Nathan what are you doing here?" Haley asked a bit confused.
"I was waiting for you."
"Sorry, I was at the library… you look sort of cold."
"I am," he mustered.
"How long have you been out here?"
"I don't know… since after I saw you last."
"Nathan! That was at breakfast," Haley squealed a bit concerned, taking a sit next to him on the stoop, placing a small hand on his knee. "Are you okay?"
"I am now."
"Are you cold?"
"Just a smidge," he said sarcastically.
"Want to continue this conversation inside?"
"If you'll actually talk to me?"
"Keep up the 'tude and I won't," Haley stated a bit annoyed, a bit flirtatious, as she got up and opening the door for both of them. Walking through the entry way and into the commons Haley turned to him, only to be caught by his intense stare.
"Listen, uh, Nathan. I'd stay down here but there's no blankets really and I think you need one after only sitting out there in your light track jacket. Plus, I've got to put some of these books away that I just got at the library, so uh, I'm going up to my room. You can uh, come too. I mean, if you want."
"Are you asking me up to your room?" Nathan stated cockily.
"Don't look to much into it Scott. Follow me," Haley retorted, shivering as she felt his arm sneak around her shoulders. After walking up three flights of stairs, they finally arrived at Haley's room. Pushing open the door, she motioned for him to enter and pointed towards the chair near her bed. "You can sit there while I just put these away," Haley stated. "Oh, and here's a blanket," she continued, tossing it to him.
"Thanks," Nathan stated quietly, looking around the room.
After placing the numerous books she'd just acquired at the library onto her desk, Haley then plopped down onto the bed behind her; her legs dangling off the edge. Sitting up, she found Nathan yet again looking intently at her.
"So…"
"So…" Haley replied.
"Are we ever going to talk?"
"We are talking Nathan," Haley stated trying to avoid the subject.
"You know what I mean Haley," Nathan stated anxiously.
"Not really," she huffed, grabbing a toss pillow that was next to her, hugging it to her chest.
"The letter."
"Oh," Haley stated, confirming her suspicions.
"So, you, uh, found it?" Nathan asked curiously. His voice somewhat timid like a little boy.
"Yes," Haley replied, unable to look him quite in the eyes.
"Well what'd you think about the-" Nathan began before being cut off.
"We, uh. We can talk about this later. Just, not now," Haley stated frantically, wanting to get off the subject.
"I'd really rather-"
"Later Nathan. Please?"
"Fine. But uh, answer me this… you didn't read it did you?"
"How could you say that?" Haley replied, shocked.
"Because I know you more than you think."
"Okay fine, I didn't read it," Haley huffed, sad to see the hurt look across his face.
"Why not?"
"I don't know…"
"Haley you need to read that letter."
"I will… eventually."
"Soon?"
"Probably."
"I need you to," Nathan stated earnestly. "Because I don't know how long I can keep on pretending."
"Nathan, what on earth would you pretend about?"
"That I'm okay."
"With what?"
"Being just your friend," he stated, searching her eyes for an answer.
"Nathan…"
"Just don't say anything Haley, okay? Just uh, read the letter," Nathan pleaded.
"Fine. But uh, it's about dinnertime and I'm really not hungry so you can just go on ahead without me. Tell Jake I said hi," Haley stated, her dangling feet gently hitting each other as she stared intently at them… anything but Nathan's gorgeous, wanting, face.
"Actually… can I uh, stay with you?" He asked timidly; his eyes shifting from the floor to Haley.
"Well, I was just going to lay down or something though so-" Haley stated quietly.
"Then can I lay down with you?" He persisted.
"Nathan, I don't know if that's such a good idea. I mean, what if someone sees you or-"
"They won't I promise."
"I still don't think this is such a good idea Nathan."
"Please Haley?" He asked, his eyes begging for her affirmation. "I just. It's been a long weekend and I just need to be here with you… hold you. I promise, this doesn't have to mean anything."
"Fine…" Haley stated, nodding her head and motioning for him to come towards her. Sliding onto the bed behind her, Nathan placed his back against the wall and allowed Haley's body to slide up against the front of him. The curves of her body met the curves in his and they seemed to fit like two pieces of a puzzle. Nathan couldn't help but revel in how perfectly she felt against him, something that didn't go unnoticed as Haley felt chills run up her spin as Nathan's hand slowly creeped its way onto her hip.
And that's how they stayed, Nathan laying behind Haley, their heads resting gently on her bed, the only thing separating them being Nathan's letter tucked nicely into Haley's back pocket and both of them reveling in the feel of the other's company. As both of them began to drift slowly off to sleep, Nathan finally broke the silence.
"Hey Haley?"
"Mmhmm…"
"You know this means something right?"
"I know," Haley stated sheepishly, a small smile spreading across her face before the silence and sleep fell over them again.
I
know, I know. I'm evil? Pure evil. No letter and you want to strangle
me? What can I say I'm a mind reader. I was going to have the letter
come in this chapter but then it had a bit of a different chain of
events. I hope that satisfied you enough! I thought the scene at the
end was kind of cute. Anyway, don't worry the much awaited letter is
coming next chapter... scouts honor haha. So, until then, review to
yell and me or say happy thoughts or really whateve ryou want. Just
leave some words so I know what ya think! Until next time... peace
love and One Tree Hill: )